PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Valerio Bartoli (ranked 1094 p4p, 141 weight class) and Jhin Markell (ranked 1727 p4p, 207 weight class). Bartoli comes to the cage accompanied by Modulate - Bass Alert. I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Bartoli
vs
Markell

180 cm
20
170 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

182 cm
27
182 lbs
7 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Determined

Urban Fighter

Pit Bull Development

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Valerio Bartoli!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Jhin Markell!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Frank Antenori and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Markell connects with a right hand. Bartoli shakes it off.
Bartoli stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Bartoli wants it to stay on the feet.

Bartoli gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Markell wants to control from the top but Bartoli keeps moving.
Markell looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Markell controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Markell with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bartoli pulls Markell in close to prevent any damage.
Bartoli's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Markell with a flurry of punches that miss.
Markell has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Markell trying to control but Bartoli is working from the bottom.
Markell content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Markell accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Bartoli managing to control the position.
Markell missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Markell wants to control from the top but Bartoli keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Markell throws a big elbow that misses.
Markell stays in close to Bartoli's body and controls the position.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Markell with a poor takedown
and Bartoli counters with a stiff right hand.
Markell throws a lazy uppercut
and Bartoli counters with a nice uppercut.
Markell throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Bartoli fires out a quick counter leg kick but Markell just manages to avoid it.
Markell lands the left hand.
Markell throws a body shot but no joy.
Bartoli uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Markell.
An attempted straight right counter from Bartoli misses the target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Markell tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Bartoli defends well and Markell ends up having to push Bartoli into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Valerio Bartoli has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jhin Markell.
Markell tries to score a power double leg takedown but Bartoli sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Markell somewhat.
Markell tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Bartoli swivels and escapes.
A little feinted left hand from Bartoli on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Markell gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Bartoli counters with a straight right hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Markell drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Bartoli managing to control the position.
Further stalling from Bartoli.
Markell preventing the sweep.
Markell trying to control but Bartoli is working from the bottom.
Markell trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Markell postures up in Bartoli's guard and throws a big left but Bartoli blocks it.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Markell wants to control from the top but Bartoli keeps moving.
Bartoli wants to improve his position but instead Markell has moved into half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jhin Markell dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Markell throws a body shot but no joy.
It looked like Bartoli was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Markell.
Markell throws a combination that misses
and Bartoli counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Markell with a lazy takedown attempt
and Bartoli counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Jhin Markell seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Markell throws a lazy uppercut
and Bartoli makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Markell fails with a takedown attempt.
An attempted straight right counter from Bartoli misses the target.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Markell throws a body shot but no joy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Markell throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Markell misses with an uppercut
and Bartoli counters with a stiff right hand.
Markell throws a nice looking combination but Bartoli bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Sloppy strikes from Markell. Those never looked like landing.
Markell is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Bartoli rather than just go for the knockout.
Bartoli slips under a jab from Markell.
Nice sprawl there from Bartoli as Markell shoots in.
Valerio Bartoli has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jhin Markell.
Markell fails with the takedown
and Bartoli counters with a thumping low kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Markell rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Bartoli counters with a stiff right hand.
Bartoli uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Markell.
We've been told by Bartoli's head coaches at Invictus MMA that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Valerio Bartoli is winning the standup battle so far.
Markell with a lazy takedown attempt
and Bartoli counters with a good low kick that Markell was not able to check.
Markell throws a right and a left that Bartoli avoids nicely.
Markell throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Bartoli counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Markell throws a poor cross that misses
letting Bartoli counter with a right hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Markell misses with a wild body shot.
Markell swings widly with a right hand
and Bartoli counters with a slapping leg kick.
No joy there for Markell, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Valerio Bartoli is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Markell rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Bartoli counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Markell with a lazy takedown attempt
letting Bartoli counter with a right hand.

Markell is rocked!
Markell misses with a takedown attempt
and Bartoli counters with a right hand to the body.
Markell is still on wobbly legs! Can Bartoli finish him?
Markell doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Bartoli counters with a stiff right hand.
Markell is breathing heavily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Markell waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Bartoli.
Bartoli throwing a counter right hand but Markell manages to avoid it.
Markell seems to have recovered his senses.
Bartoli takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Markell throws a right hand that misses
and Bartoli makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Markell misses with a left hand
and Bartoli counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Markell throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Bartoli counters with a nice uppercut.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Valerio Bartoli dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Markell takes a swing at Bartoli's ribcage but misses.
Markell misses with a hook to the body
and Bartoli counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Markell throws a predictable looking body shot
and Bartoli counters with a big right hand! Oh Markell is in trouble here! Bartoli follows up with more strikes and that's it! The ref has stopped it!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:25 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Valerio Bartoli!
Valerio Bartoli retains his welterweight title!
Valerio Bartoli decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.